Annuals 2017 Annual Book | Page 60

The Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes, Inc. The Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes has been ministering to children from hard places for 126 years! While we are thankful for what the Lord has done throughout the years, we are excited about what He is going to do in the future through the ministry of TBCH. In our desire to be good stewards of the resources the Lord provides, the strategic plan for TBCH is to streamline our residential ministries and expand our Foster Care ministry while adding Family Support Services enabling this ministry to impact an even greater number of children and families. Join us in praising the Lord for the 23 children in our care who have been born again while on our campuses or in one of our foster homes! Through the faithful service of our staff, our foster families, the local church, and by God’s grace an eternal impact is being made on the lives of the children who come into the care of TBCH. As of this writing, TBCH has ministered to 143 different children in residential care this year. While many of these children still reside on one of our five campuses, 40 children have been successfully reunited with their families, and 18 children have been adopted and placed in a forever family! We continue to assist 10 of our young adults as they transition out of our care into adulthood. TBCH’s Foster Care Program has served 48 children and has had 22 Christian parents commit to be Foster Families. Several of these children are in “Foster to Adopt” situations that we are praying will result in more children having permanent homes. After meeting with Commissioner Bonnie Hommrich of the Department of Children’s Services, we are looking forward to renewing our Foster Care contract with the State of TN allowing us to continue placing children who are in state custody with Christian parents. Total Impact: The Lord has allowed TBCH the honor of ministering the love of Jesus Christ to a total of 1,101 souls through our residential and foster care programs from November 1, 2016 through July 31, 2017. This number reflects the specific individuals that have been affected by the ministry of TBCH including residents and their families, other families we have ministered through counseling as well as our foster children and their families. This great work would not be possible without the faithful support of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Thank you for supporting the Cooperative Program and the Mother’s Day Offering that directly blesses the children. TBCH is thankful for the many churches, individuals and businesses who serve and share their resources with us all year long. Finally, thank you for caring about children who find themselves in hard places. They need us. The Lord has commanded us to meet their needs. And with your help and His strength, we will continue to minister to the defenseless in the great name of Jesus. Greg McCoy President/Treasurer 60